Rats have been spotted running around near a play area at Dorking 's King George V Playing Field causing concerns over children's safety.

Julie Collins, who lives over the road from the playing field, located on Goodwyns Road, said she has seen several rats near the playground.

She said: "The rats are literally running around your feet while you're walking over there. They get in the children's playground and everything, you can see them running in and out of it. I worry about the disease they could be spreading, especially among the kids.

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"In the morning and at dusk the rats are at their most active. It's not really good enough."

The council said it is aware of the issue and is "working with a pest control company to resolve it".

Mrs Collins said she has contacted the council about it and feels it has not been dealt with quickly enough. She said: "I contacted the council about a month ago and just from speaking to people in the local area, I know they've had [a lot of] other contacts."

What appear to be two rats can be spotted at the side of the footpath (Image: Anonymous)

She added: "You would think they would at least put up a laminate or something like that just to tell people there are rats present."

Photos taken by Mrs Collins appear to show rats running along a pathway next to the children's play area. The photos have been sent to Mole Valley District Council.

Councillor David Hawksworth CBE, cabinet member for wellbeing at Mole Valley District Council , said: “We are aware of a rodent issue at King George V's playground area in Dorking and are working with a pest control company to resolve it.

Rats near a children's play area (Image: Anonymous)

"Local residents and users of the park can assist by ensuring that any food waste they generate is either placed in the rubbish bins on site, or ideally taken home with them, as if there is nothing to attract rodents to the area, then they won't visit.

"We do empty these bins regularly including at weekends to try to reduce the amount of rubbish left on site and will continue to work on this issue until it is resolved."